Michael Black, left, and John Morgan have given a statement to police.

A gay couple were turned away from a bed and breakfast by its Christian owner who claimed it was against her convictions for two men to share a bed.

Michael Black and John Morgan from Brampton, Cambridgeshire, booked a double room at the B&B in Cookham, Berkshire, for Friday night.

When they arrived, Susanne Wilkinson and her husband Francis refused to allow them to stay. The owner said later that she had turned them away because it was against her policy to accommodate same sex couples. Black and Morgan claimed they were treated like lepers as a result of their sexuality. They reported the matter to Thames Valley police and have given a statement to police. Under the Equality Act 2006 it is illegal to discriminate against people on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The couple had been in the village, near Maidenhead, to meet some friends for dinner and to see a local play.

Black, a 62-year-old self-employed exams consultant, said: „We’re two respectable middle-aged men. John is leader of the Lib Dem group on Huntingdon town council.

„This was the first time either of us had experienced homophobia at first hand, despite being aged 56 and 62. We were shocked and embarrassed.

„Mrs Wilkinson saw us both before we got out of the car and immediately acted in an unwelcoming, cold way, but my boyfriend and I were polite and friendly.

„She said if we’d told her in advance she would have told us not to come.“

She apologised for turning them away and she returned their deposit and was in no way abusive, the couple said.

Black said: „We want to try to prevent other people from going there and suffering discrimination. Whatever her private views, that I can’t change. Legally she can’t discriminate.

„It is like we were treated as lepers in the worst possible way.“

Mrs Wilkinson said: „I don’t see why I should change my mind and my beliefs I’ve held for years just because the government should force it on me.

„The property is not a hotel. It operates as a guest house and private home.“

Mr Wilkinson disputed the couple’s claim that they had not been given a friendly welcome.

„We are Christians and we believe our rights don’t have to be subordinated. We have religious freedom and we are not judging that but we are not prepared to have that sort of activity under our roof,“ he said. „These people are very organised and we have already been inundated with abusive calls and emails. It is really sad that people act like that.“ Thames Valley police said: „We are aware of the incident … The call has been logged as a homophobic incident. As the people live outside of the force area, we have asked Cambridgeshire constabulary to speak to the individuals concerned.“